business loans for
​indigenous entrepreneurs

business loans

Stó:lō Community Futures offers loans up to $150,000 for Indigenous entrepreneurs, and up to $500,000 for Stó:lō Community-owned businesses and/or their portions of joint-venture partnerships.

Please call SCF Business Analyst, Shannon Smith, to book a free & confidential appointment to discuss your business. 

​Click on arrow to scroll and view all programs. 

• ELIGIBILITY
• MICRO-LOAN
• INVESTMENT FUND
• IMPACT FUND
• EDP LOAN
• EQUITY MATCH PROGRAM
• GRANTS

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ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply for a business loan:

• Must be of Indigenous ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Métis, or Inuit).
• Must reside and operate business within S’ólh Téméxw, the Stó:lō Traditional Territory.
• Business must be at least 51% Indigenous-owned and/or controlled.

 

Service Area

Our service area is S’ólh Téméxw, the Stó:lō Traditional Territory, including Fort Langley to Yale on both sides of the Fraser River.  We also serve all 24 Stó:lō communities and their affiliations, and all Indigenous entrepreneurs and Stó:lō Community-owned businesses in the towns, cities, and villages within S’ólh Téméxw.

Aitchelitz First Nation  /  Chawathil First Nation  /  Cheam First Nation
Kwantlen First Nation  /  Kwaw Kwaw Apilt First Nation  
Leq'á:mél First Nation  /  Matsqui First Nation  /  Peters Band
Popkum First Nation  /  Seabird Island Band  /  Shxwhà:y Village
Shxw'ow'hamel First Nation  /  Skawahlook First Nation
Skowkale First Nation  /  Skwah First Nation  /  Soowahlie First Nation
Sq’ewlets First Nation  /  Squiala First Nation  /  Sts’ailes
Sumas First Nation  /  Tzeachten First Nation  /  Union Bar First Nation   Yakweakwioose First Nation  /  Yale First Nation

micro-loan

With a business idea, or plan to expand or maintain your business, you may qualify for a business loan up to $10,000.  

Terms

• Borrow up to $10,000, to help start-up, or grow your business.​

general investment fund

SCF General Investment Funds are loans designed to help Indigenous businesses invest in long-term capital purchases, for example,  equipment and vehicles.  

Terms

• Borrow up to $150,000.

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Indigenous impact lending fund

Through a capital partnership with Vancity, Stó:lō Community-owned businesses and/or their portions of joint-venture partnerships can access up to $500,000, and Indigenous businesses can access up to $150,000 for business start-up, growth or expansion.  ​

Terms - Community-owned businesses

• ​Maximum Loan of $500,000 for viable Stó:lō community-owned businesses, their respective development corporations, for joint ventures with the private sector, or with another Stó:lō community(ies).

Terms - Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs

• Maximum Loan of $150,000 for Indigenous entrepreneurs with new or existing businesses in S'ólh Téméxw.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP)

The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) funding is designed to assist entrepreneurs who self-identify with restricted ability to overcome barriers in business. There may be additional resources available with funding approved under this Program. 

Terms:

• ​Please make appointment to read about the Terms for this program. 

Equity Match Program

In partnership with New Relationship Trust, SCF administers the Equity Match Program for the fiscal year of 2024-2025, which matches a portion of the required 15% equity component in grant funds.  The grant is not offered as a stand-alone source of funding.  It must be applied for in conjunction with a SCF Loan.

The grant is only available to BC First Nation individual entrepreneurs.

​We encourage entrepreneurs to visit the following websites for helpful information:

• Business Benefits Finder
• Business Grants and Financing
• Provincial Funding and Grants
• Government Grants and Contributions
• Grants and Funding

Please note that SCF does not necessarily endorse any of the above resources, they are presented for informational purposes only.

application process

1. Set up a meeting

Contact and set up a meeting with the SCF Staff to share your business idea for start-up, expansion or maintenance. They will support you throughout the application process for adjudication by the Loan Funds Committee.

2. paperwork

As part of the business loan application, SCF Staff will guide you through a number of documents to be submitted, including:

• Business Plan or Strategy
• Loan Application
• Business Cashflow

3. review

Additional information may be requested before SCF Staff present your completed application to the the Loan Funds Committee, that make the approval decision. There may also be additional
information requested prior to finalizing the Committee's decision on your application.

4. decision

Once the Loan Funds Committee has made a decision, SCF Staff will contact you to notify of the outcome, explain the next steps, and complete the documentation.

5. business support

SCF Staff continues to work with you and explore additional resources throughout your journey. At any time you need someone to talk to regarding your business, SCF is available to support any area you may need help with.

we are here for you.

business loan evaluation

The SCF Staff are here to support you through the business loan application. Your application is reviewed on the following criteria, and the staff will support you in ensuring your application demonstrates the following:

• Market potential and future economic viability of the business
• Location of the business
• Competent management
• Local job creation​

• Experience related in the venture
• Ability to repay loan
• Adequate security from the venture/owners
• 15% equity is needed

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Connect with us to take the first step in starting or expanding your business.